The Government of Nauru has welcomed the
resignation of chief justice Geoffrey Eames and has announced a
series of reforms that will create a more effective and transparent
judiciary.

Justice minister David Adeang said the
resignation will allow the Government to fast-track the reforms
that were backed by the former chief justice, which includes the
appointment of more Supreme Court justices, a maximum contract
period for judges and magistrates, and a separate registrar of the
court.

Mr Adeang explained the Government was
already in the process of appointing new justices and will now look
for a new chief justice.

He said that despite continual comments
within the Australian and New Zealand media about Nauru neglecting
the rule of law, the country was in fact supporting and advancing
the rule of law with the new
reforms.

"In the past Nauru has operated with only
one chief justice and one resident magistrate, who was also the
registrar of the court. There was no limit on the time a member of
the judiciary could serve.

"As you can imagine in a small country
like Nauru personal friendships form and this can potentially - and
I am talking generally and not aiming this at any specific person -
compromise the integrity of the
court."

The minister said it was ironic that the
reforms created to enhance accountability were being incorrectly
portrayed as doing the opposite.

"We have unfortunately been subject to a
campaign of misinformation and very unfair criticism from sections
of the media and some lawyers who know nothing about Nauru, but we
choose to ignore this because the decisions we are making are about
improving the legal process.

"For example, two year contracts for the
judiciary with a possible extension for a further two years will
prevent much of the cronyism and corruption we have seen for too
long."

Mr Adeang said a new magistrate and
registrar of the Supreme Court have already been
appointed.